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“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Kirateshwar Avatar of Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva took the form of Kirat or hunter when Arjuna was meditating to kill an Asura named Mooka, who was disguised as boar.
Upon seeing the boar, Arjun and Kirat hit the boar with arrows at the same time. So, a fight broke out between Kirat and Arjun as to who struck the boar first with arrows.
Arjuna challenged Lord Shiva for a duel who was disguised in the form of Kirat. Lord Shiva was pleased with Arjuna’s valor and gifted him the Pashupata Astra.
Kirateshwar Avatar
Kirat means hunter. Lord Shiva incarnated in the form of a hunter of Keerat to test the devotion of Arjuna and kill the demon Mooka. During the test, Lord Shiva got pleased with Arjuna and gifted him his Pashupata.
Kirateshwar:
One of Shiva’s avatars was a hunter named Kirat. He appeared during Arjuna’s meditation to test him. Impressed with his valour and strength, He gifted him the Pahupata Astra.
Kirateshwar / Keerat Avatar:
Lord Shiva took the form of a hunter or a Kirat while Arjuna meditated to kill an Asura named Mooka, disguised as a boar. Arjun’s meditation was disturbed by the sound and seeing the boar, Arjun and the Kirat struck the boar at the same time with arrows. A fight broke out between the Keerat and Arjuna over the first to hit the boar. Arjuna challenged Lord Shiva as Keerat for a duel. Lord Shiva was pleased with Arjuna’s courage and presented him with his Pashupata Astra.
Keerat Avatar-Once, Arjuna was performing a tremendous penance to please lord Shiva. Duryodhan had sent a demon named Mooka to kill Arjuna. Mooka had disguised himself as a boar. Arjuna was engrossed in his meditation, when suddenly his concentration got disturbed by a loud noise. He opened his eyes and saw Mooka being chased by a Kirat. In fact it was none other than Shiva who had appeared in the guise of Kirat. Both Arjuna and Lord Shiva struck the boar with their respective arrows at the same time.A disagreement broke between Arjuna and Kirat (Shiva’s avatar) over who killed the boar. Arjuna challenged Shiva for a dual. Shiva was very much impressed by his valour. He revealed his real identity. Arjuna was very ashamed that he fought with Shiva but Lord Shiva consoled him and gave his weapon Pashupat to Arjuna. See less
These Avatars Of Lord Shiva That You Don’t Know
Keerat Avatar
It is said that lord Shiva took the form of Keerat or hunter while Arjuna was meditating. Duryodhan had sent a demon named Mooka to kill Arjuna. He heard the loud noise of the demon while meditating. He and Lord Shiva struck the boar at the same time and then Arjuna challenged Keerat, the avatar of Lord Shiva as who would strike the board first. Impressed by Arjuna Vellore, Lord Shiva gifted him his Pashupata.
Keerat: The 15th Avatar of Lord Shiva
The story of Keerat goes to the Indian Mythological Epic, Mahabharata. Let’s know more about Him as we scroll through this blog.
1. Keerat was the 15th incarnation (avatar) of Lord Shiva.
2. Once, Pandu-Putra, Arjuna, was doing a tremendous penance to please Lord Shiva.
3. Fearing of the rewards he might attain, Duryodhana, Kaurava, sent a demon named Mooka to kill Arjuna.
4. Mooka changed himself into a form of boar to hide his identity.
5. Arjuna was suddenly disturbed by a loud sound that he heard. He came out of his meditative state.
6. He opened his eyes and saw the deceptive Mooka being chased by Keerat. Keerat was none other than Lord Shiva himself.
7. Keerat and Arjuna struck the boar with their arrows at the same time. Arjuna was the biggest archer in the world, and so, seeing someone who hit the target like him, was pretty indigestible for him.
8. Arjuna then challenged Keerat, the Mahadev himself, for a duel. Shiva was impressed by his courage. Soon, He revealed His identity in front of Arjuna.
9. Arjuna felt ashamed because he failed to recognise the Lord and instead fought with Shiva. But, Lord Shiva was impressed by Arjuna.
Lord Shiva thus blessed Arjuna with Pashupatastra (most destructive weapon owned by Shiva) to Arjuna, after seeing and accepting his devotion and dedication.
Kirateshwar
Lord Shiva assumed the guise of a hunter, Kirat (Kirateshwar Avatar), while Arjuna was engrossed in meditation, aiming to thwart the Asura Mooka, disguised as a boar. Arjuna’s meditative state was disrupted by a noise, leading him to spot the boar. Both Arjuna and Kirat shot arrows simultaneously, sparking a dispute over who hit the boar first. The disagreement escalated into a confrontation between Arjuna and Kirat. Unaware that he was challenging Lord Shiva in disguise, Arjuna displayed his courage. Upon revealing his true form, Lord Shiva commended Arjuna’s bravery and gifted him the potent Pashupata Astra, symbolizing the melding of mortal valor with divine favor.
Kirateshwar Avatar
One of the 19 avatars of Lord Shiva, Kirat (a hunter) descended to earth while Arjuna was contemplating killing an Asura named Mooka, masked as a pig. Arjun’s contemplation was disturbed by the sudden appearance of Lord Shiva’s Avatar and after seeing the boar, Arjun and the Kirat struck it simultaneously. A battle broke between the Kirat and Arjuna with regards to who struck the boar first. The latter challenged Kirat for a duel. Master Shiva was impressed by Arjuna’s courage and offered the young champion his Pashupati Astra.
The Divine Avatar of Kirateshwar: Unveiling the Legend
In the vast pantheon of Hindu deities, Lord Shiva, the destroyer and transformer, stands as a revered figure. Among the various forms and avatars associated with Lord Shiva, one lesser-known yet fascinating manifestation is that of Kirateshwar. This avatar portrays Lord Shiva as an archer, displaying exceptional prowess and grace. The avatar of Kirateshwar offers a mesmerizing insight into Lord Shiva’s multifaceted nature. Through this form, Lord Shiva reveals his divine archery skills and imparts valuable teachings on focus, humility, and devotion. The legend of Kirateshwar serves as a reminder that the divine can manifest in unexpected ways, and by recognizing and embracing it, one can gain profound wisdom and spiritual growth.
According to Hindu mythology, the Kirateshwar avatar of Lord Shiva is linked to the events of the Mahabharata, one of the most significant epics in Hindu literature. It is believed that during the final year of the Pandavas’ exile, Lord Shiva, in the disguise of a Kirata (a hunter), engaged in a fierce battle with Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers. The legend of Kirateshwar unfolds in the forest of Khandava, where Arjuna had ventured with the purpose of acquiring celestial weapons to aid the Pandavas in the impending war. However, the Nagas (serpent beings) residing in the forest fiercely guarded the weapons, leading to a confrontation between Arjuna and the Nagas. Despite his exceptional archery skills, Arjuna found himself struggling against their might. It is at this moment that Lord Shiva, assuming the form of a Kirata, appeared before Arjuna. The disguised Lord Shiva challenged Arjuna to a duel, and a gripping battle ensued between the two skilled warriors. Arjuna, unable to comprehend the strength of his opponent, was intrigued by the Kirata’s skills and requested guidance. Impressed by Arjuna’s humility and dedication, Lord Shiva revealed his true identity as Kirateshwar, the divine archer. Recognizing the true nature of Lord Shiva, Arjuna sought his blessings and guidance, eventually receiving the powerful Pasupatastra, a celestial weapon bestowed upon him by Kirateshwar.
The Kirateshwar avatar embodies several symbolic aspects. As an archer, Lord Shiva represents precision, focus, and the ability to hit the target with unwavering accuracy. This portrayal signifies the importance of focus and determination in the pursuit of one’s goals and spiritual evolution. Furthermore, the Kirateshwar avatar teaches us the valuable lesson of recognizing the divine even in unexpected forms. Arjuna’s humility and willingness to learn enabled him to receive the divine knowledge and blessings from Lord Shiva, emphasizing the significance of humility and devotion in spiritual growth. While Kirateshwar is not as widely worshipped as Lord Shiva’s other avatars, there are temples dedicated to this unique form. The Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple in Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal, is a renowned pilgrimage site where devotees offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Kirateshwar.
Kirateshwar:Exploring the Archer Avatar of Shiva
Within Hindu mythology, we discover a lesser-known form of Lord Shiva – the Kirateshwar Avatar. Here, Lord Shiva takes the guise of an archer, displaying remarkable finesse and skill. This incarnation reveals Shiva’s multifaceted nature, teaching us about focus, humility, and devotion. It reminds us that divinity can appear unexpectedly, guiding us on a path of spiritual growth and wisdom.
Story of Kirateshwar
The famous story of Kirateshwar is found in the Mahabharata. This story is divided into eighteen parts, called cantos, and it tells about Arjuna‘s fight with Lord Shiva. It’s also known as the ‘Story of Kiratarjuniya’.
The Exile and Sage Vyasa’s Advice
During the period of exile in the epic Mahabharata, the Pandavas received guidance from Sage Vyasa. He advised them to use this time to appease the Gods and enhance their strength. One of the Pandavas, Arjuna, chose to propitiate Indra to gain more power. He embarked on a journey to the Indrakila Hill and began rigorous austerities.
Indra’s Advice and Arjuna’s Austerity
Appearing before Arjuna, Indra suggested that he seek blessings from Lord Shiva. Only Mahadeva possessed the ability to grant a warrior formidable weapons. Taking Indra’s counsel to heart, Arjuna embarked on a path of intense penance. His diet consisted solely of dry leaves and fallen fruits. The intensity of his penance led to the emanation of heat from the earth, causing hardship for living beings.
Lord Shiva’s Arrival as Kirata
After witnessing Arjuna’s dedication, Lord Shiva chose to manifest as Kirata, a hunter. As Shiva approached Arjuna, a demon in the form of a boar emerged, poised to attack. Arjuna and Kirata simultaneously released arrows, resulting in the boar’s defeat. Both claimed responsibility for the kill, sparking a verbal dispute that escalated into a fierce battle.
The Intense Battle and Divine Manifestations
The conflict began with a clash of arrows, only to progress to swords, missiles, and more. Arjuna’s attempts were consistently countered by Kirata’s formidable defenses. When Arjuna employed fire missiles, Kirata retaliated with rain missiles. Even the potency of the Nagastra was diminished by Kirata’s mastery of the Garudastra. The battle eventually escalated to hand-to-hand combat, where Kirata effortlessly overpowered Arjuna.
The Realization and Transformation
As the battle raged on, Arjuna gradually realized that Kirata was no ordinary human. In a moment of clarity, he collected clay and fashioned a Shivling, adorning it with forest flowers. These flowers mysteriously gravitated towards Kirata’s head. In an act of surrender, Arjuna prostrated at the feet of Shiva, recognizing the divine presence.
Blessings of Lord Shiva
In response to Arjuna’s humility and devotion, Shiva revealed his true form, seated atop Nandi. The mighty Lord Shiva blessed Arjuna with the Pashupatastra, a powerful weapon. This divine gift bestowed upon Arjuna immense strength and prowess that extended beyond the physical realm. Arjuna’s encounter with Shiva as Kirata not only showcased Lord Shiva’s multifaceted nature but also underscored the significance of devotion, humility, and recognizing the divine presence in unexpected forms.
Worship and Temples
While Kirateshwar isn’t as commonly worshipped as other forms of Lord Shiva, there are temples dedicated to this unique version. The Kirateshwar Mahadeva Temple in Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal, is a well-known pilgrimage site. There, people pray and seek blessings from Lord Kirateshwar. Another Kirateshwar Mahadeva Temple is found in Legship, West Sikkim, India, by the River Rangeet. The temple is also called Kirateshwar Mahadeva Thaan by the Kirati people or simply known as Shiv Mandir.
Kirateshwar Avatar
The Story of Kirateshwar Avatar came into existence when Arjuna was performing a severe penance to please Lord Shiva. During the time, Duryodhan had sent a Rakshesh or Demon named Mooka to kill Arjuna.
During Arjuna’s mediation, he was disturbed by a loud noise of a boar, who was actually the demon Mooka disguised as a boar to kill Arjuna. When Arjuna opened his eyes, he saw Kirateshwar fighting against the boar.
While both, Arjuna and Kirateshwar shot arrows at the boar in order to kill him. After the boar had died, a big argument broke between Arjuna and Kirateshwar over who killed the boar. Soon, both of them were fighting against each other.
After seeing such Valor and courage in Arjuna, Lord Shiva revealed himself before him and Arjuna feeling guilty and ashamed asked for forgiveness as he could not recognize Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva consoled him and gave him his Pashupata Astra.
Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple Legship
Positioned amidst emerald forests and on the edges of the glittering River Rangit, Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple is a renowned Hindu pilgrimage site. It is said, that whoever prays at this temple, all his wishes come true if you pray whole-heartedly. However, the temple is also widely visited because the premises houses three separate platforms to pray to Goddess Durga, Lord Rama and Lord Shiva. It is said that Kirateshwar Mahadev is the oldest temple in the state. This sacred temple is also mentioned in the Mahabharata because of its vital role in the epic battle. The main attraction the temple is known for is the festival of the Bala Chaturdesi which takes place in November – December every year. And also Maha Shivaratri, this festival falls in the month of February or March and many devotees from near and far come to attend this auspicious event.
Things to Do And See
Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva but it also houses two platforms to worship Lord Rama and Goddess Durga. You can visit the temple during festive season and witness the entire town of Legship come alive to celebrate with zest and joy.
Best Time To Visit :
The best time to visit this temple is from February to May but if you are a devotee then you can visit during the festivals. Bala Chaturdesi is the first festival celebrated in November and December. Followed by Shivaratri celebrated in February/March.
Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple Legship, Sikkim
Getting there :
Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple is located about 500 m from the main town of legship and 20 km from Pelling. You can get taxis to reach to this religious place from Pelling.